How to Qualify for Accounting Certifications with Side Hustles

You’ve got a side hustle or gig work that keeps you busy. Great! But what if I told you those same hustles could help qualify you for major accounting certifications like CPA or CMA?

The truth is most people overlook how their everyday work can actually count toward achieving big career goals, and earning more money, long-term.

This isn’t about jumping into expensive courses right away. This is about leveraging what you’re already doing (and finding affordable resources) to hit certification requirements without breaking your budget.

How Gig Work Qualifies as Relevant Accounting Experience

Your side hustle isn’t just a way to make extra cash. It can also be leveraged toward the work experience requirements for certifications like CPA or CMA. But not every gig qualifies, so you need to get strategic.

For example, bookkeeping gigs? Golden – those directly count if they involve applying accounting principles under supervision or independently managing financial data for clients.

On the other hand, freelance tax prep during filing season? Also a win if you’re tracking income and demonstrating real-world knowledge of tax laws.

The key is documentation: clear records of what you’ve done and how it aligns with certification requirements. Think of your work log as your evidence folder – it shows exactly how you’re building practical skills accountants use daily.

Budget-Friendly Ways to Satisfy Education Prerequisites

Getting the necessary coursework doesn’t mean shelling out thousands on fancy schools. Affordable options exist (you just have to look in the right places).

Community colleges offer accounting courses at lower rates than big universities, and online programs let you learn from home without quitting your job or burning out financially.

And here’s where Surgent educational materials shine, because they offer budget-friendly packages that combine exam prep with personalized learning tools. Tailored specifically for certification seekers working on tight schedules (and tighter budgets).

Pair these with occasional discounts Surgent runs, and suddenly getting certified feels realistic even when funds are limited.

Managing Time: Preparing for Exams While Juggling a Side Hustle

Balancing a side hustle with studying for certifications feels overwhelming, but it’s possible with the right strategy.

Find your “time pockets” – small gaps in your day, like 30 minutes between client calls or commutes. Use them for quick tasks: flashcards, short videos, or audio study sessions. These small efforts add up fast.

Let technology help, too! Calendar apps can reserve weekly prep time so you’re not constantly adjusting your schedule.

Set realistic goals. Skip marathon sessions if you’re already stretched thin; focus on manageable daily tasks like one quiz or two pages of notes instead. Consistency beats cramming every time.

The Role of Affordable Study Materials in Certification Prep

When it comes to studying, not all materials are created equal. You need tools that are both effective and affordable – because who wants to blow their entire savings before even earning a certification?

Start with resources that offer real value for your time. Look for platforms that include practice exams, adaptive learning technology, and clear explanations tailored to your progress.

Surgent stands out here. Their discounted tools and course bundles don’t just save money – they also streamline the study process with targeted prep that works around your busy schedule.

Pro-Tip: Free options like library access or low-cost online guides can supplement these investments too! It’s about mixing smart spending with savvy resourcefulness to maximize every dollar (and minute).

Documenting Side Hustle Income for Certification Requirements

If your side hustle qualifies as relevant experience, documenting it properly is crucial. Certifying bodies like the CPA or CMA boards don’t take your word for it – they want proof.

Here’s how to keep everything in order:

Track Your Hours: Use apps like Toggl or even a simple spreadsheet to log daily work hours. Include details about tasks performed, especially those involving accounting principles (e.g., bookkeeping, financial reporting).
Save Client Records: Keep invoices, contracts, and client correspondence organized. These serve as evidence of the work you’ve completed and its relevance to certification requirements.
Maintain Tax Documentation: If you’re self-employed through gig work, tax filings can be helpful when certifying income levels for qualification purposes.

Key Takeaway: Tie everything back to your supervisor or employer’s credentials if possible! Certifications often require verification from licensed accountants overseeing your work – freelancers without direct oversight may need alternative forms of documentation (like detailed project logs) accepted by licensing boards.

Common Pitfalls Gig Workers Face When Pursuing Certifications

Gig workers often run into these challenges:

Irrelevant Work: Not all gigs qualify.
Focus on bookkeeping, tax prep, or roles tied to accounting standards.

Lack of Supervision: Freelancing solo?
Seek contract roles under certified professionals for required oversight.

Falling Behind on Prep: Tight schedules make consistent studying critical.
Commit to regular, manageable blocks of study time weekly.

Tax Overload: Self-employment taxes can derail plans if ignored.
Stay ahead by organizing finances early.

Smart Solution: Build a clear plan before starting! Review licensing board guidelines thoroughly, ensure you meet supervision requirements upfront, and map out a timeline for balancing work/study obligations effectively.

Wrapping It All Together

Side hustles are more than income boosters; they’re the valuable stepping stones toward achieving accounting certifications. By documenting your work, managing time wisely, and leveraging the affordable resources available, you can meet certification requirements without blowing your budget.

Remember this: Success comes from strategy and consistency. Use what you already have to build the career you want.

Now is the time to turn that hustle into a powerful launchpad for your future!

This post may contain affiliate links. Financial Panther has partnered with AwardWallet and CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Financial Panther, AwardWallet, and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact on how and where card products appear on the site. The site does not include all card companies, or all available card offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

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Check out these other ebikes and scooters I've reviewed:

Urban Arrow Ebike – Last year, I made one of the largest purchases I’ve ever made – I bought a $9,000 electric cargo bike from Urban Arrow. In my Urban Arrow review, I will discuss what it is and why I decided to buy this bike, as well as discuss how impactful a bike like this can be on your journey to financial independence.
Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Ebike – The Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is a fat-tire ebike that I’ve had the pleasure of riding for a while now. It has amazing power, great looks, and awesome range. If you’re looking for a great fat-tire ebike that offers a lot for the price, the Troxus Explorer Step-Thru is definitely one for you to consider. Check out my Troxus Explorer Step-Thru Review.
Hovsco HovBeta Ebike – The HovBeta is a folding ebike with great specs and a lot of interesting features, and importantly, it’s sold at a good price point. I’ve had a blast commuting with it and using it to do deliveries with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. Check out my Hovsco HovBeta Ebike Review.
Vanpowers Manidae Ebike – The Vanpowers Manidae is a fat tire ebike that I’ve been riding as my primary winter commuting bike and have also been using it to do food delivery with apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. After clocking in a decent number of miles with this ebike, I wanted to write a post sharing what my experience with the Vanpowers Manidae ebike has been like. Check out my Vanpowers Manidae Review.
Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding EBike Review – A Great Value Folding Ebike – The Sohamo S3 Step-Thru Folding Ebike is an entry-level folding ebike that offers a lot of value for the price point. I’ve been riding the Sohamo S3 for a while now, putting the bike through its paces, and I have to say, this bike has exceeded all of my expectations. Check out my Sohamo Review.
KBO Flip Ebike – The KBO Flip is an excellent bike. I’ve had a great time riding it and think it’s a versatile bike that can be used for a lot of purposes and can fit a variety of lifestyles. It’s worked out great for me as a general commuter bike and as a food delivery bike. Check out my KBO Flip Review.
Hiboy P7 Commuter Ebike – The Hiboy P7 is an excellent electric commuter bike that’s offered at an affordable price point. The range and speed of this bike are both very good, so you won’t have any trouble getting anywhere you need to go with it. As a food delivery vehicle, this is also good – with how much range it offers, you’ll be able to work all day on a single charge. Check out my Hiboy P7 Commuter Electric Bike Review.
Himiway Escape Ebike – The Himiway Escape is an interesting bike for anyone looking for a moped-style ebike. If you’re a gig economy worker, the Himiway Escape is particularly interesting and it’s possible to think of it as an investment, especially if you can opt to do deliveries with the Himiway versus using a car. It’s not cheap, but you can definitely make your money back when you compare the mileage you’ll put on your car versus using an ebike. Check out my Himiway Escape Bike Review.
Espin Sport Ebike – The Espin Sport is a good ebike for someone who is looking for an ebike that feels and rides more like a regular bike. There are many ebikes that are really only bikes in name. In reality, they’re basically electric mopeds. The Espin Sport, by contrast, is a bike you could probably ride without the battery and you’d feel like you’re just riding a regular bike. Check out my Espin Sport Review.
Varla Eagle One Scooter – The Varla Eagle One is an excellent scooter that can make sense for a lot of people. It can work as a primary mode of transportation. You can use it to work on gig economy apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. And it can also be a recreational vehicle if you’d prefer to use it for that. Check out my Varla Eagle One Review.
Varla Falcon Scooter – The Varla Falcon is an excellent scooter that offers a good amount of power at a lower price point compared to more powerful scooters. It’s not exactly an entry-level scooter, nor is it a high-powered scooter. I think it fits somewhere in-between those two categories – an intermediate scooter if I had to give it a category. Check out my Varla Falcon Review.
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More Recommended Investing App Bonuses

For additional investing app bonuses, be sure to check out the ones below:

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Kevin is an attorney and the blogger behind Financial Panther, a blog about personal finance, travel hacking, and side hustling using the gig economy. He paid off $87,000 worth of student loans in just 2.5 years by choosing not to live like a big shot lawyer.

Kevin is passionate about earning money using the gig economy and you can see all the ways he makes extra income every month in his side hustle reports.

Kevin is also big on using the latest fintech apps to improve his finances. Some of Kevin's favorite fintech apps include:

SoFi Money. A really good checking account with absolutely no fees. You'll get a $25 referral bonus if you open a SoFi Money account with a referral link, and an additional $300 if you complete a direct deposit.
5% Savings Accounts. I'm currently getting 5.24% interest on my savings through a company called Raisin. Opening a Raisin account takes minutes to complete, it's free, and all of your funds are FDIC-insured. I explain how it works, why I'm now using it to store my emergency fund and any other cash savings I have, and why I recommend everyone check it out in this review.
US Bank Business. US Bank is currently offering new business customers a $900 signup bonus after opening a new account and meeting certain requirements.
M1 Finance. This is a great robo-advisor that has no fees and allows you to create a customized portfolio based on your risk tolerance. You also get $100 for opening an account.
Empower. One of best free apps you can use to monitor your portfolio and track your net worth. This is one of the apps I use to track my financial accounts.

Feel free to send Kevin a message here.